th The 10 International Conference on Art and Culture Network 11-13 march 2020, Kamphaeng Phet Rajabhat University,

The Forest of Natural Resources, Mae Wong National Park

Wanassanan Nutchanart1, Suphachokchai Nanthasri2, Phathooramphai Praphatsorn3, Pimnara Banjong4 and Weerawan Jangmo5

Office of Arts and Culture Rajabhat University Kamphaeng Phet 1E-mail : [email protected], Telephone Number 084-6226600

Abstract A national park is used for preservation purposes and often a natural reserve of land, semi-natural land, or land built as declared or in possession of an independent state. Although each country has its definition of a national park, the common concept is to preserve the "wild nature" for future generations and to be a symbol of national pride. As for the international level, an international organization, "International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)", and its affiliated agencies are the World Commission on Protected Areas, defining national parks in the category 2: the protected area, which is classified as a vast area with amazing natural resources, suitable for relaxation and have educational value, such as being a habitat for rare plants and animals, or have some special interest in history of art and culture. National park standards must have at least 10 square kilometers, managed by a federal government, not a state or provincial level. There are sufficient staff members that be able to prevent encroachment completely. The important thing is to be allowed people to travel, and it has to preserve nature to maintain its original state as much as possible. This article aims to study 1) the history of the establishment of the park 2) Mae Wong National Park 3) tourist attractions and natural resources of Mae Wong National Park.

Keywords: National Parks, Tourist Attractions, Mae Wong National Park

History of Establishing a National Park After World War 2 ended, the rate of population growth in Thailand increased rapidly, causing the need for living for more survival, respectively. Therefore, there was the encroachment into the forest area in order to change it to a pleasant farm and for cultivation. As well as the growth of materials and technology resulted in increased destruction of nature and the environment, such as deforestation and hunting without boundaries. Eventually, the government realized the importance of preserving and protecting natural resources, especially forests and wildlife. Thus, the Arboretum National Park, Forest Park, and National Park have been established by the year 1925. Moreover, the first forest park, Phu Kradueng, was established at that time. Until the year 1959, His Excellency Marshal Sarit Thanarat, the prime minister of that time, traveled to inspect the northern government service. He is interested in the protection of natural resources, especially forests. Therefore, he has proposed the

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Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and the Ministry of Interior to establish a national park. Later, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives considered the projects that will organize 14 forest areas to proceed with the establishment of the national park as follows. 1. requesting a land allocation in 14 forest areas to establish a national park; 2. the Ministry of Interior announced the prohibition of 4 forest areas in order to establish a national park, namely Salob Mountain, Khao Yai Forest, Thung Salaeng Luang Forest, and Doi – Inthanon Forest; 3. requesting to establish a forest to be a national park under Article 1, which is a forest reserve under the Protection Act and reserve wildlife except for Phu Kradueng forest, Loei province, which has already been designated as a reserved forest. On October 2, 1959, the Cabinet approved the National Park Act 2504 to protect the existing natural resources. Furthermore, this act also stipulated the appointment of a national park committee for expansion or revocation of national park areas, including protection and care of national parks. Furthermore, on 14 January 1989, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej graciously ordered to amend the National Park Act 2504 to be careful not to remove wood from the forest and accelerate the rehabilitation of forests as well as giving power to government officials in order to restrain the removal of trees from the forest including order to amend the concession and the end of the concession in the national park area. As a result, a National park was established from the national forest reserve. (Bureau of National Parks, 2020, Online)

Figure 1 shows the sign at the entrance of Mae Wong National Park (National Park Section, 2020, Online)

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Mae Wong National Park has an area covering the area of Pang Sila Thong District, , and Mae Wong District and Mae Poen District, . Most areas are sources of watersheds along the steep mountains, forming 4-5 beautiful waterfalls. Also, the origin of the Mae Wong River is the headwaters of the Sakae Krang River. The park covers an area of 558,750 rai or 894 square kilometers. At the moment, the government is constructing the dam of Mae Wong in the park area as well.

History of Mae Wong National Park Mr. Sawat Khamprakob, former Minister of the Prime Minister's Office, sent a letter to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (Dr. Thailing Thamrongnawasawat) requesting that the Mae Wong – Mae Poen forest area in Nakhon Sawan Province has many natural conditions and beautiful waterfalls. The condition of the forest is fertile, and the forest is watershed designated as a national park Division, Department of Forestry. From the survey, it appears that most of the areas are high mountains and the origin of the Mae Wong River with beautiful natural features such as Mae Krat Waterfall or Mae Kee Waterfall. It is about 200 meters high and various cliffs state of forests that are rich with plants and various kinds of wildlife. Therefore, it is suitable to be established as a national park. The National Park Division, Department of Forestry, presented the National Park Committee which was resolved at the meeting No. 1/2528 on April 2, 1985, agreed to specify the said area is a national park, which has been announced in the Government Gazette is the 55th national park of the country. The topography of Mae Wong National Park is a complex high mountain range lined up the Thongchai Road mountain range, descending to the ground level. The highest peak is “Mokuju Peak," which is approximately 1,964 meters above sea level. It is the origin of Mae Wong River. On the other hand, the flat area is not much and mostly on the riverside where the Mae Wong river or Mae Rewa river. It is the main river of Mae Wong National Park with diverse topography, special ecological systems that look like streams, plains, islands, many islands. The living things stay in a grove of trees, which are important and rare, endangered species. While the waterfront forest is the habitat of Indochina tigers, Kaeng Lan Peacock is the habitat and mating of only a few remaining Thai peafowls in Thailand including a smooth large otter, and in the river, there are more than 60 species of freshwater fish are found, such as orange snapper, rocky fish, the climate of Mae Wong National Park. During the cold season from November to February is the most suitable period for traveling Because the weather is quite cold Due to the high-pressure wedge from China spread down to the south into Thailand and covers the whole country. The wind that blows to Thailand this season is The northeast monsoon is the lowest temperature in January, about 8.9 degrees Celsius. The hot season starts from March-May. The highest temperature in April is 38.1 degrees Celsius. The weather is quite hot, and there is little rain. Causing the plant society to deciduous dipterocarp forest and deciduous mixed deciduous forest For the rainy season starting from June - October, the average rainfall is 1,100 millimeters per year. (National Park, 2020)

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Tourist attractions and natural resources of Mae Wong National Park Mae Wong National Park has an area of 558,750 rai or (894 sq. Km.) Able to distinguish vegetation and wildlife. The vegetation characteristics of Mae Wong National Park consist of 1. Mount Evergreen Forest about 0.88%, covering the top of the mountain, which has quite cold weather all year round. At an altitude of more than 1,000 meters above average sea level Found in all regions of Thailand in areas with high peaks. The dominant plant species are Fagaceae and Gymnosperm, which are three-thousand-year- old pine trees. The second wood species are Ste Neem, Turmeric, and evergreen forest in Thailand. May be subdivided into two sub-societies, namely low-level rainforest. Found at an altitude of 1,000 - 1,800 meters above sea level and highland rainforest. Found at an altitude of 2,000 meters 2. Dry evergreen forest, approximately 21.85%. Dry Evergreen Forest is everywhere in different regions of the country, on the plain or in the valleys. With an altitude of about 500 meters above sea level and rainfall between 1,000-1,500 mm. Important plants such as red rubber, Makamong. Not dense and quite open, the structure of the dry evergreen forest is covered with continuous treetops. There are many kinds of plants such as red rubber, Kratong, Takhian, Khao Hin, mixed with deciduous trees, such as Tabaek, Somphong, Makha-mong, supporting the ground. This forest type is suitable as a habitat for many kinds of wildlife such as the monkey, gibbons, crowned bull, red bull, sand meat, and pheasant. Because there are many food plants and the forest is not too humid. It is a forest that is valuable to the local people because it can be used as a source of food and important forest products. Also, it is a source of medicinal plants such as Euphoria cardamom and various orchids. Dry evergreen forest is an evergreen forest society with quite a lot of deciduous plants. Causing some trees to shed their leaves during the dry season. The main determinants of this type of forest are Must have a clear, dry period for at least 3-4 months. Deep soil holds water reasonably well. To allow some species of plants to maintain their leaves throughout the dry season Usually found dry evergreen forest at an altitude of approximately 100- 800 meters. Dry evergreen forest mixed with the mixed deciduous forest is about 9.24%. 3. Mixed Deciduous Forest Approximately 59.05% Mixed Deciduous Forest or Deciduous Hair Forest looks like a sparse forest. All trees are shed during the dry season. The soil is usually sandy loam. Can be found in the north Northeast Central region at an altitude of 50 - 800 meters above average sea level With rainfall 1,200 - 1,300 mm / year 4. Deciduous Dipterocarp Forest: Approximately 6.77% Deciduous Dipterocarp Forest is a deciduous forest that has some dominant species of trees, such as Deciduous Dipterocarpus, Antimony and Rubber Tree. In general, the density of trees in the dipterocarp forest is less than a mixed deciduous forest. Because the soil is shallow, less water retention. There are many stones on the surface. Causing drought Deciduous Dipterocarp Forest is a prominent plant society of the northeast region. It occurs at an altitude of approximately 50-1,000 meters above sea level. There is a drought period of more than four months per year combined with the amount of rainfall is 900-1,200 millimeters per year only. The most important factor that determines the sustainability of dry dipterocarp forests is forest fires, which often occur between December and March. Because the fire is managing the forest structure and selecting plants Early in the dry season, the leaves in the dry dipterocarp forest will unite their leaves to turn red,

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yellow, orange beautifully and will leave all the leaves. Become a good fuel when forest fires occur. The main fire from the forest floor will be clear. However, when receiving rainwater, The dipterocarp forest will turn green again with the grass swept. Attracting many herbivores to the dipterocarp forest, such as red cows, wild deer, barking deer, and wild rabbits. The heat from the fire also helps to expel insects on the ground or under the bark to reveal Becoming an abundant food for many insect-eating birds as well. Nowadays, dipterocarp forests in Thailand have deteriorated considerably. Because of cutting the wood with economic value to use the animals that feed the cows feed on the forest, trampling and destroying various plants, including the impact of the forest fires that occur. Often too severe for the forest to recover in time 5. About 2.21% of grassland or deserted land is found scattered throughout the various types of forests that are caused by the deforestation of the various hill tribes. That used to live in the area Plant communities that are substituted in the area are grass, finger grass, Laem Suea Suea, Phongkhem Luang, Maduea Maimrap, Mimrrak, Lamphun tree, Pa Wa Tio Dang, and Ngio, Hom Syringe. (National Park, 2020, Online) Wildlife resources Can be classified as follows 1. Mammals of 57 species, 26 families 2. 305 bird species, 53 families 3. Reptiles of 22 species, 11 families 4. Four species of amphibians, four families 5. 68 species of freshwater fish, 14 families Local departments 1. Mae Wong National Park Protection Unit, Village 1 (Checkpoint Kilometer 57) 2. Mae Wong National Park Protection Unit, Village 2 (Pang Khao San) 3. Mae Wong National Park Protection Unit, Village 3 (Khao Khiao) 4. Mae Wong National Park Protection Unit, Village 4 (Mae Reva) 5. Mae Wong National Park Protection Unit, Village 5 (Pang Sak) 6. Mae Wong National Park Protection Unit, Village No. 6 (Submitting) 7. Mae Wong National Park Protection Unit, Village No. 7 (Khlong Suea Kham) 8. Khun Nam Yen Upstream Management Unit

Viewpoint in Mae Wong National Park, Kamphaeng Phet Province Mokoju Mountain The peak of Mokoju is the highest in Mae Wong National Park. Furthermore, the highest in the Western Forest Complex At a distance of 38 kilometers from the national park, it is a mountain peak that tourists want to visit, hiking, climbing at the height of 1,964 meters. The word Mokju is Karen, meaning "It will rain. The highlight on Mokju is Rocks that resemble sailboats. Alternatively, tourists call it a sailboat rock. Combined with a sailboat rock area, travelers can see 360-degree views, which are beautiful both in the morning and evening. It is another place that tourists want to conquer the sailboat rock once in a lifetime. Nevertheless, finding an opportunity to visit here is also not easy Because Mae Wong National Park requires long-distance hiking (Mokju) activities from November to February.

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Figure 2 shows the image of Mokoju Mountain. (National Park Section, 2020, Online)

The park will open hiking trails for tourists to conquer the top of Mokoju. Experience the beauty of the forest, which consists of 3 broad forests, namely Khlong Lan forest Huai Kha Khaeng forest And the Umphang forest Travelers who conquer the top of Mokuju. Usually do not miss the rocky photo of a sailboat The dominant location on the edge of the hill. Looking below, the travelers will see mist covering the forest. It is another very beautiful picture, as the top of the mountain is often covered with fog and is always cold. Mae Wong National Park Considered as having an abundant forest area. There are many important plants such as Teak Makha Mong, Dang Yang, Teng Dang, and there is also rare wildlife such as wild elephants, bison, tigers, deer, barking bears, striped cats, and various birds. Which has a slope of not less than 60 degrees and takes time to travel back and forth for five days, which must stay in the forest at the specified point Visitors must prepare their bodies before actually traveling.

Figure 3 shows a waterfall in the park (National Park Section, 2020, Online)

Besides, in the national park, there are many beautiful large waterfalls, such as Mae Kratha Waterfall, which is the highest waterfall in the national park with nine levels up to 900 meters. Mae Riva Waterfall is a very beautiful large waterfall with five levels and Mae Mae waterfall Gee With a height of about 200 meters, divided into nine floors, and the ASEAN MAGAZINE book praised this waterfall in 1975 as the most beautiful waterfall in Asia. Accessing these waterfalls requires trekking for at least three days. Mae Riva Waterfall is about 21 kilometers from the national park's office. It is a large, beautiful waterfall with five levels. The car cannot be reached as well - a two- day round trip.

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Mae Kee Waterfall is a waterfall located in the same area as Mae Riva Waterfall and Mae Krasorn Waterfall. Originated from Thongchai Road mountain range To get to the waterfall, walk 3-4 times for a round-trip. Mae Kon Waterfall Is a large waterfall with nine levels, 900 meters high, about 18 kilometers away from the national park, takes 3-4 days on foot Nang Nual Waterfall and Suea Khang Waterfall are located at the 99th kilometer of Khlong Lan-Umphang road. Nang Nuan waterfall has to climb down 200 meters. For the Suea Namtok waterfall, walk 1 kilometer. Both locations must notify staff every time. A warm spring is a warm spring that naturally springs up from the underground. Warm water has a temperature of around 50 degrees Celsius, a width of about 4 meters, with abundant wildlife. Located about 1.5 kilometers from the national park office.

Travel info 1. Each group must have at least five members and no more than 12 people. 2. Must carry luggage by oneself But if travelers need a porter, please contact the park in advance to ask to hire a porter with a compensation rate of 300 baht/person/day (porter carrying luggage up to 20 kilograms/person) 3. Must prepare personal supplies to suit the duration of the trip. If travelers use the porter service, they must also prepare supplies for the porter as well. 4. On the morning of the journey (07.00 hrs.), You must contact to register for remote trekking at the visitor center of Mae Wong National Park. For a meeting to explain the long-distance hiking Acknowledgment Count the number of cans, bottles, glass, plastic, including garbage that cannot naturally decompose (Do not bring containers made of foam into the park is strictly prohibited) to take it out and leave outside, by departing from the park office at 08.00 hrs. 5. When walking back out Report to the visitor center in order to count the amount of garbage and answer the questionnaires For the benefit of managing long- distance hiking. (Bureau of National Parks, 2562, Online)

Cool channel viewpoint

Figure 4 shows the cool viewpoint (National Park Section, 2020, Online)

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Figure 5 shows the evening viewpoint (National Park section, 2020, online)

Chong Yen, Km 93, is 28 kilometers from the park's office. It is the highest point of Khlong Lan-Umphang road, 1,340 meters high from the sea level. The wind blows, and fog is always covered. The weather is cold all year round. Furthermore, it is another place to watch the sunset beautifully. The average annual temperature is lower than 20 degrees celsius because this area is a gorge with the wind blowing all the time. It is therefore called the "cool box" according to the climate of this area Since the cold compartment has a cool and humid climate Therefore found plants that like moisture in this area, including the black orchid fern (Treefern). In addition to being a popular tourist attraction, Yen Yen is easy to travel, convenient, and beautiful. It is also a popular place for tents and camping. This place is also full of lodges and camping sites, as in Figure 6.

Figure 6 shows accommodation Shelter and tent digging (National Park section, 2020, online)

- Houses and facilities Mae Wong National Park There are lodges and camping facilities for tourists. However, travelers have to bring a tent by themselves. The electrical system is used in the national park office. As for other tourist areas No electricity yet - Tent ground Visitors must register at the service center. Moreover, request to reserve a tent Or reserve any tent at all at that time only. Tent reservations can contact the national park for details and reservations directly. For service rates between 250-800 baht depending on the type Tent size And other accessories, There is only one tent for rent, dome tent for 1-3 people at 225 baht per bed, not including any bedding. Bedding sets

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are available for rent, pillows 10 baht, sleeping pads 20 baht, and sleeping bags 30 baht/piece. Besides, the cold compartment is also a habitat for a variety of birds. Therefore it is one of the important birdwatching places in Thailand. In the cold area, there are lodges and camping facilities. Nevertheless, the travelers have to prepare the equipment by themselves, including plastic cloth, sweater, insect repellent lotion And bags for throwing away trash Because the cold compartment cannot eliminate waste Lamp or torch. After all, electricity is available from 17.00-21.00 hrs. The evening channel also has a beautiful sunrise viewpoint, namely the Phu Sawan viewpoint, which can view 360 degrees.

Figure 7 showing Phu Sawan viewpoint (National Park Section, 2020, Online)

Kio Krating Viewpoint ViewPoint 57-115: along the Khlong Lan-Umphang route Between 57 - 115 kilometers, there are many viewpoints, such as the 81 kilometers at 87 kilometers at 93 kilometers at 102 and 102 kilometers at 115, and each can see the beautiful scenery and see the farthest mountains. Kiew Krating Krating viewpoint is located at Km 8 1 along the Khlong Lan-Umphang road, approximately 16 kilometers to the cliff area. Is a viewpoint that can see the beautiful scenery of the surrounding forest.

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Figure 8 Kio Krating Viewpoint (National Park section, 2020, online)

Khun Nam Yen Khun Nam Yen is another viewpoint of Mae Wong National Park that is open to tourists in the middle of the tent. Which has a courtyard in the middle of the Khun Nam Yen Tent - located 24 kilometers from the park (at 89 km), which is a place for camping tents for watching the sunrise - sunset And can see the 360-degree view of the rainforest. It is one point that can pick up 200 tent camping tourists per day. There are toilets for tourists. Suitable for a family vacation.

Figure 9 shows the Khun Nam Yen viewpoint. (National Park Section, 2020, Online)

Kaeng Pha Nang Koi Kaeng Pha Nang is rapids. From Khlong Lan-Umphang Road 1,400 meters away from the Mae Wong National Park Office, there will be an intersection for another 400 meters to reach the large rocky rapids with the Khlong Khlung River flowing, which is one of many rivers that flow into the Ping River. From the area of Kaeng, walk up the river for another 350 meters to reach Pha Khoi Nang Waterfall. A small, distinctive and striking waterfall with four levels of waterfalls, each floor has a height of about 20 meters and can be camping near the waterfall. Rules for swimming 1. Do not swim in areas with warning signs. 2. Children go swimming. Must be under the supervision of parents closely. 3. Please swim with caution. 4. If there is something wrong, please notify the staff immediately.

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Conclusion Education subject Mae Wong National Park consists of 1) the history of the establishment of the park 2) Mae Wong National Park 3) tourist attractions and natural resources of Mae Wong National Park, found that after the Second World War has ended, the rate of population growth in Thailand is large Up quickly Causing the need for living For more survival respectively Causing the encroachment into the forest area In order to change the condition to be a pleasant farm and for cultivation, as well as the growth of materials and technology has increased. Resulting in increased destruction of nature and the environment, such as deforestation and hunting without boundaries. Finally, the government realized the importance of preserving and protecting natural resources. Especially forests and wildlife, Therefore, the Arboretum National Park and National Park have been established. By the year 2468, Phu Kradueng Forest was established as the first park. Mae Wong National Park With an area covering the area of Pang Sila Thong District Kamphaeng Phet and Mae Wong District and Mae Poen District Nakhon Sawan Province Mostly high mountains The origin of the Mae Wong River There are beautiful natural features such as Mae Krat Waterfall or Mae Kee Waterfall which is about 200 meters high and various cliffs State of forests that are rich with plants and wildlife of various kinds. Suitable to be established as a national park division, the Department of Forestry presented the National Park Committee. Furthermore, designated the area as a national park, which was announced in the Government Gazette Is the 55th national park of the country. The topography is a complex high mountain range lined up the Thongchai Road mountain range, descending to the plain about 40-50 balls. The highest peak is "Mokuju Peak," which is approximately 1,964 meters above sea level. It is the source of the river, the origin of Mae Wong River. The flat area is not much. Mostly on the riverside Where the Mae Wong or Mae Rawa river is the main river or river of Mae Wong National Park With diverse topography, special ecological systems Look like streams, plains, islands, many islands, is home to a grove of trees that are living things. Important and rare, endangered species. The natural resources of Mae Wong National Park Can distinguish plant and wildlife characteristics. The vegetation characteristics of Mae Wong National Park consist of 1. 0.88% Evergreen Forest 2. 21.85% Dry Evergreen Forest 3. Mixed Dry Mixed Evergreen Forest, about 9.24% 4. Mixed Deciduous Forest 59.05% 5. Deciduous Dipterocarp Forest, about 6.77% 6. Grassland or Abandoned ranch about 2.21% and wild animals can be classified as follows 1. 57 species of mammals 26 families 2. 305 species of birds 53 53 species 3. Reptiles of 22 species 11 families 4. Animals The species is amphibious, seven species, four families. 5. Fish species, 68 species, 14 species of freshwater fish. There are also tourist attractions as an interesting viewpoint in the park as follows: 1. Mokokju Mountain 2. Yen Yen 3. Walking Trail Study nature (Suitable for bird watchers) 4. Phu Sawan Viewpoint (1,429 meters above sea level) 5. Kio Krating Viewpoint 6. Khun Nam Yen 7. Kaeng Peacock 8. Kaeng Pha Nang Khoi.

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References [1] National Park Bureau National Park Department Wild animals and plants. (2020). Mae Wong. [Online]. Accessed from: http://park.dnp.go.th. [2] National Park. Former history of the establishment of the national park. [Online]. Accessed from: http://www.dnp.go.th/MainNation/nature/_private /History.htm. [3] National Park section. Mae Wong National Park [Online]. Accessed from: http://paro12.dnp.go.th/.

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